About the Song
There are songs that mark milestones in our lives—songs that become intertwined with beginnings, with hope, and with the quiet beauty of possibility. Few songs have captured that spirit more tenderly than “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters. Released in 1970, it quickly became not just a chart-topping hit, but an anthem for weddings, new journeys, and the gentle unfolding of a shared future. And at the center of it all is Karen Carpenter’s voice—warm, inviting, and brimming with emotional clarity.
Penned by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, the song began its life as a jingle for a bank commercial—of all things. But even in that brief form, it held a kind of magic. When Richard Carpenter heard it, he recognized its potential and asked the writers if there was a full version. Thankfully, there was—and what followed was one of the most enduring ballads of the 20th century.
From the opening line—“We’ve only just begun to live”—the song radiates optimism, but it’s a quiet, mature kind of optimism. This isn’t the wide-eyed excitement of youth; it’s a more thoughtful confidence, rooted in love, trust, and the belief that whatever comes, it can be faced together. Richard’s soft piano intro sets the tone, and when Karen enters, she brings the lyrics to life with her signature blend of poise and vulnerability.
As the arrangement gently swells with layered harmonies and strings, we’re reminded of how powerfully simple a well-crafted song can be. There are no tricks here—just heartfelt words, a timeless melody, and a voice that speaks directly to the soul. That’s the Carpenters’ gift. They don’t perform songs; they live inside them, inviting us to do the same.
For many, “We’ve Only Just Begun” has become more than just a love song—it’s a symbol of commitment, of starting fresh, of believing in something greater than yourself. And over 50 years later, it still holds that promise. Whether you first heard it in 1970 or are only discovering it now, it whispers the same gentle truth: every new chapter begins with faith, and a little bit of love.